HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 27: Michael Dickson #13 of the Texas Longhorns is named MVP of the Academy Sports & Outdoors Bowl at NRG Stadium on December 27, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 27: Michael Dickson #13 of the Texas Longhorns is named MVP of the Academy Sports & Outdoors Bowl at NRG Stadium on December 27, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty

There, standing together on the mobile stage stationed at NRG Stadium's 50-yard line, was Texas coach Tom Herman and junior Michael Dickson, otherwise known as "The Punter."

Herman earned a spot atop the platform because UT (7-6) defeated Missouri, 33-16, to claim the program's first bowl title since 2012. Dickson was there because the Longhorns couldn't have done it without him.

"I've never seen (a punter) affect the game the way he did tonight," Herman said, "and I'm glad he's on our team."

Dickson punted 11 times. Ten of those kicks were downed inside the Tigers' 15-yard line. Four of Mizzou's drives started inside its own 10. When the Aussie did finally get a chance to show off his big boot, he blasted the ball 58 yards. And one of his punts even set up a third-quarter safety.

Dickson became the first punter named MVP of a bowl since 2008, when Florida State's Graham Gano (who served double duty as the team's placekicker) and Vanderbilt's Brett Upson did so in the Champs Sports Bowl and Music City Bowl, respectively.

"I didn't believe it when they told me at first or at second," the 2017 Ray Guy winner said. "When they were leading me up to the stage I was like, 'Why are you leading me up on stage?' They said, 'You're the MVP.' I didn't believe it. They said it again and I didn't believe it. It's still kind of sinking in now."

Herman still refused to call Dickson by his name even after the performance, a long-running joke that has played out all season.

"When he gets his degree, man, I don't know," Herman said of when he'll finally refer to the Punter by name. "You guys are not going to bait me into that. We laugh and cut up, all those guys. When they get their degree, that's the deal."

Three years ago, Dickson knew nothing of the Texas Longhorns and little of American football in general. He'll now leave as one of the most decorated specialists in program history.

"The amount of love I have for this school and this team and each player individually has grown exponentially over the last couple of years," Dickson said. "I understand the tradition. I understand how much this means. To be able to wear the burnt orange and white one last time in front of all these fans that appreciate us all, and are really loving, it just means to much."